Amazon Throws Down the Gauntlet

And so, like a whiny two year old on the verge of a major meltdown, the powers-that-be at Amazon have crossed their collective arms, stomped their collective feet and, simultaneously, stuck out their bottom lips.  Yes folks, Amazon has taken their toys and gone home, coveting the Vine program as it throws all other honest reviewing sites under the proverbial bus.  But what's that?  A loophole?  Of course!

So Bezos et al have decided that sellers can no longer offer discounts or free products in exchange for reviews.  Seems fairly straight forward, and yet the cracks in this plan are larger than those in Shel Silverstein's sidewalk.   All one needs do to skirt this nifty new policy is to offer the discount, watch for those who don't VOLUNTARILY review and cull them from the reviewing herd.  And yet, something tells me the policy will have a more chilling effect on the reviewing community.

The reality is this--Amazon needs only to crosscheck the promotional codes with the person publishing the review.  Receive a code and write a review and wham, bam, next thing you know you're on the outside looking in, without a single remaining published word on the site.  It doesn't matter that the seller didn't ASK you to write the review.  The upshot is that if Amazon pulls the plug on you, they can SAY you were asked.  Proof?  Who needs it?  Certainly not the head honchos at Amazon.  With a reviewer rank of just over 500, and over 1300 published reviews, someone there got a wild hair and decided I had a personal relationship with a seller.  Which seller?  Who knows!  What kind of relationship?  The kind that made my reviews unacceptable.  The kind that gave Amazonian asshats carte blanche  to summarily dismiss me without even a handshake or severance pay.

So while many of us were handed our hats over the past year, I fear a larger purge is just over the horizon.  I applaud those sellers who are turning to other sites, like Walmart, and entertaining more blogger input and reviews.  I like that they are playing by the rules but remaining proactive and basically saying "fuck you" to the Amazon gods.  I have to voice my distaste, however, for those sellers who are trying to lure honest reviewers like myself by still demanding reviews and offering substantial payouts to break Amazon's TOS.  If Bezos wants to pout and circle the wagons to protect his precious, severely flawed, Vine program, respect the ridiculousness.  It's his company, and nothing speaks to a company guru louder than a loss of business.  Begin to explore other avenues for your products, and those of us who review justly will follow you.

Happy reviewing!

Oh Mr. Coben--You've Now Fooled Me Once

Fool Me Once: A Review

I have to begin by saying that I adore Harlan Coben. Whilst I've read virtually everything the man has ever written, it is perhaps the antics of Myron Bolitar which appeal to me most. The humor in those novels is always beautifully woven into the intricate plot lines, and the pages just seem to turn themselves. Perhaps it is my love of those pieces that prejudiced me when reading Fool Me Once. I just didn't close the book feeling any sense of resolve or satisfaction. The loose ends were certainly tied up; the plot was extremely well written; and the realistic dialogue was typical Coben--fast paced and shot from the proverbial hip. What seemed to pervade every page, however, was an overwhelming sense of despair--a dispiriting shroud of gray that only allowed momentary snapshots of color and substance to bleed through the desolation. 

Maya is a recently widowed ex-military pilot who married into a wealthy matriarchal family. She is suffering from PTSD that is fueled by her own guilt, stemming from an incident of which we become aware in bits and pieces as the story progresses. Her mission is no longer of the military variety but rather to unravel the murder of her husband, which incidentally had followed on the heels of her sister's brutal murder.

Each character to whom we are introduced seems to be tainted by death and self-destruction, with the exception of Lily, Maya's daughter. She is the only glimpse of joy we see and the only splash of color in the otherwise monochrome landscape. From Isabella, the nanny, to Maya's sister-in-law Caroline, every single player in this maze of chaos and lies is tainted with character flaws that are predictive of their eventual downfall. At the close of the final chapter, I was left unable to feel any empathy for any of them. They all played a part in the bleak and disturbing climax, when the plot is finally turned on its head and the truth is revealed. 

If you're looking for a plot that twists and turns, and you don't mind the lack of any joy, you may really enjoy this. Technically, it certainly reflects the artistry of Coben. If, however, you read Coben for his infusion of humor as well as his ability to tell one hell of a story. you might want to keep looking. I'm still depressed.

Essentials for Your Oils!

doTerra Essential Oils Kit

This essential oils kit contains everything you will need to get started with aromatherapy--just add the oils! I started collecting and using essential oils last May and quickly acquired a few dozen. I use them for skin care, to add to shampoo, in my diffuser and to clean my kitchen and bath. There are two issues I've had, however, and this kit solves them both. First, I needed a way to pack some oils to take with me when I travel, and second, I needed storage for my larger bottles.

The kit comes with a beautiful wooden hinged box with gold-tone hardware. The box contains twenty five separate compartments to hold bottles, and the latch keeps it closed securely. Also included with the kit are eight 2 ml. bottles for carrying a small amount of oil in each. Those bottles are an amber glass, which prevents deterioration of the oils from light, and have included opening reducers to allow for the oils to be dispensed in small droplets. Eight pipettes allow for easy transfer of oil from larger bottles to the 2 ml. bottles. Finally, there is a zippered key chain in the kit that, when opened, exposes elastic restraints to hold the small vials.

Finally, I am able to use oils in hotels when I'm on business trips, in the car and at work without having to worry about bottles breaking in my luggage or handbag. I also have a beautiful storage option for my oils at home.

Overall, highly recommended! Note that I received a discount on this kit in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. 

Cutlery For Grownups!

Imperial Knife Collection

The Imperial brand is synonymous the world over with quality cutlery. This nine piece kitchen set accurately reflects that stellar reputation.
First, each of the five included knifes are similar in design and graduated in size. They feature easy to grasp molded and brushed stainless steel handles, and stainless steel blades with an eye-popping granite coating that makes them fabulously non-stick. From the meat cleaver to the paring knife, each piece is sharp and sturdy and slices through food with ease Imperial has also included a heavy duty sharpening rod to keep a razor's edge on each piece of cutlery. They didn't just stop with the knives, however, as they've also included a vegetable peeler AND a pair of durable kitchen shears.

To make this set complete, an acrylic stand is provided upon which the knives can be stored and displayed. The stand consists of a tube to house the sharpening rod, a bracket for the kitchen shears and individual acrylic "blade sleeves" for the knives. It is finished at the base in a polished silver-tone that reflects the beauty of the knives.

This set looks AMAZING in my kitchen, as the granite knives match my counters, and the stand makes a wonderful display. Highly recommended set for the professional or casual cook. Note that I received a discount on this set in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

A Wallet Without The Heft!

Money Clip Wallet By Vitorro

This wallet truly exceeded my expectations. My husband is constantly having to fight a thick wallet from the back pocket of his trousers. It's not that the pants are tight, but rather that the wallet is ridiculous! I saw this and knew it was the perfect solution.

First, the leather is BUTTER soft with a beautiful natural grain. The color is a rich rusty brown that looks both professional and sophisticated. All stitching is neat, tight and even, with no loose threads whatsoever. Aesthetically, it just couldn't be more appealing and is the definition of high quality.

The center of this wallet features a gold-finish money clip that snugly holds paper bills and keeps them in place when the wallet is folded. There is a clear window slot on the outside of the wallet (it allows you to see and show your driver's license in a snap) and allows easy access via a cut out portion to push out the card with one finger. If you've ever fought a license out of one of those clear pockets, you will appreciate the access! The inside of the wallet features three slots on either side, each generously sized, and a beautiful embossed logo. Finally, the front has a pouch for a frequently used card.

This wallet came beautifully gift boxed as well, which makes it perfect for the holidays! Overall, highly recommended! Note that I received a discount on this purchase in exchange for an honest review.